Hispanic Center of Excellence

Channel 12 News August 24, 2006

Morris Park medical program for Hispanics on life support

(08/24/06) MORRIS PARK - A federal funding cut has left a Morris Park program, which grooms Hispanics for medical careers, on life support.

The Hispanic Center of Excellence has been located in the Albert Einstein College of Medicine since 2002. Administrators say the center plays a vital role in supplying Hispanic professionals who give back to the community. However, officials say severe budget cuts have left them in the red for the last two years. The center has scrapped a faculty development program and is shuffling resources to compensate in other areas.

The government only gave four out of 34 nationwide centers full funding this year. Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY) says he believes the center’s funding has been cut to make up for tax cuts. The lawmaker says he’s working to restore the money.